If your furnace system shuts down during a cold Indiana winter, you need to know the steps to take to get it back up and running — quickly — and when to call the pros for bigger problems. You can use a few simple furnace troubleshooting tips to cover the basics, and when these don’t work, go ahead and make the service call.
Thermostat
In order for the furnace system to cycle on, it must receive a signal from the home’s thermostat that heat is needed. Therefore, your thermostat should be set in the “heating” mode, which will indicate to the furnace to get ready to work (whereas the “cooling” mode signals the A/C to cycle on).
Next, the thermostat’s setting must be high enough so the furnace knows it’s time to produce heat. Look on your thermostat for your home’s current temperature. Then, raise the thermostat’s gauge higher than that indoor temperature. For troubleshooting purposes, set it at least 3 degrees higher to get a response from the furnace.
Power
The furnace system itself needs power to work, and there are two locations to check for power: The first is at the main circuit box. Make sure the circuit is in the “on” mode. If it’s been tripped, reset it. It’s also possible that you’ve blown a fuse, which will need replaced. Next, check that the power to the furnace system itself is on. Most furnaces will have a switch on the appliance itself.
Airflow
To ensure enough airflow to the system, check the air filter and change it if it’s dirty. Assess your home’s registers and grilles; they should be clear to allow airflow to move through them, so remove furniture or any other blockages. Finally, supply registers should be open, so check each one’s position to ensure that a register isn’t closed.
When furnace troubleshooting doesn’t result in a strong flow of even heat, give your local HVAC technician a call. Mowery Heating, Air Conditioning and Plumbingis available to help with all of your home’s heating and cooling needs. Just contact us today.
Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).
Mowery services the Brownsburg, Indiana and the surrounding areas. Visit our website to see our special offers and get started today!
Furnace repair man image via Shutterstock
